Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-9-chapter-39 [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [A Level](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature.md) › [Edexcel](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel.md) › [English Lit: Edexcel A Level The Handmaid's Tale](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale.md) › Chapter 39 # Chapter 39 English Lit: Edexcel A Level The Handmaid's Tale, topic 2.12.9 ## Chapter 39 - Summary and Key Quotations The action moves to one of the hotel rooms. The Commander gets Offred alone to have sex with her. ### Offred's thoughts during sex ![Offred's thoughts during sex](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-05/2c436849-df77-474f-89fe-738a3a2055bb/think-idea-.jpg) - While he is trying to seduce her, Offred cannot stop thinking about Moira telling her that she had seen her mother in a film about the __"unwomen"__ in the Colonies. - She remembers being with Luke when she discovered that her mother had disappeared. - The Commander says that he wants Offred to enjoy the sex but she is not interested at all. She goes along with it because she doesn't want to displease him. ### __"The same... serviced"__ ![__"The same... serviced"__](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/96429c3b-9ff5-45df-8b0f-01006ce8eafa/shutterstock_596318708.jpg) - **"The drapes are the same"** - Irony. Previously, Offred visited with her lover. Now, she visits with a Commander who uses her for sex and nothing more. - **"Serena wants me serviced"** - This references the plan for Offred to sleep with Nick to get pregnant. The verb __"serviced"__ indicates that this is a purely mechanical action, like having a vehicle serviced. ### "Dead bird... afford pride" !["Dead bird... afford pride"](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/40765ad5-1557-4eae-9443-25cc455ffbd0/hen-harriers-birds-birdofprey-.jpg) - **"I lie there like a dead bird... I can't afford pride or aversion"** - Offred is aware that she's powerless in her relationship with the Commander. In the Ceremonies, she's supposed to suppress any reaction. But here, she's trying to get her body to respond as if she has an emotional or physical response. - The entire sex scene is awkward and creates an atmosphere of deadness. ## Test yourself on Chapter 39 - What is Offred thinking about while the Commander tries to seduce her? - What does Offred say are **"the same"** in the room? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/cb642fd7-ccab-4fbd-9651-ea110bffd26a/section/56143351-5e15-437f-a185-89ad07c739f5/session) - Previous topic: [2.12.8 Chapter 38](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-8-chapter-38.md) - Next topic: [2.13.1 Chapter 40](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-13-1-chapter-40.md) ## English Lit: Edexcel A Level The Handmaid's Tale contents ### 1 Author Background - 1.1 Margaret Atwood - [1.1.1 Margaret Atwood](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/1-1-1-margaret-atwood.md) ### 2 Chapter Summaries - 2.1 Chapter 1: Night I - [2.1.1 Chapter 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-1-1-chapter-1.md) - 2.2 Chapters 2-6: Shopping II - [2.2.1 Chapter 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-2-1-chapter-2.md) - [2.2.2 Chapter 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-2-2-chapter-3.md) - [2.2.3 Chapter 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-2-3-chapter-4.md) - [2.2.4 Chapter 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-2-4-chapter-5.md) - [2.2.5 Chapter 6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-2-5-chapter-6.md) - 2.3 Chapter 7: Night II - [2.3.1 Chapter 7](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-3-1-chapter-7.md) - 2.4 Chapters 8-12: Waiting Room IV - [2.4.1 Chapter 8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-4-1-chapter-8.md) - [2.4.2 Chapter 9](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-4-2-chapter-9.md) - [2.4.3 Chapter 10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-4-3-chapter-10.md) - [2.4.4 Chapter 11](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-4-4-chapter-11.md) - [2.4.5 Chapter 12](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-4-5-chapter-12.md) - 2.5 Chapter 13: Nap V - [2.5.1 Chapter 13](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-5-1-chapter-13.md) - 2.6 Chapters 14-17: Household VI - [2.6.1 Chapter 14](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-6-1-chapter-14.md) - [2.6.2 Chapter 15](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-6-2-chapter-15.md) - [2.6.3 Chapter 16](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-6-3-chapter-16.md) - [2.6.4 Chapter 17](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-6-4-chapter-17.md) - 2.7 Chapter 18: Night VII - [2.7.1 Chapter 18](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-7-1-chapter-18.md) - 2.8 Chapters 19-23: Birth Day VIII - [2.8.1 Chapter 19](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-8-1-chapter-19.md) - [2.8.2 Chapter 20](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-8-2-chapter-20.md) - [2.8.3 Chapter 21](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-8-3-chapter-21.md) - [2.8.4 Chapter 22](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-8-4-chapter-22.md) - [2.8.5 Chapter 23](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-8-5-chapter-23.md) - 2.9 Chapter 24: Night IX - [2.9.1 Chapter 24](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-9-1-chapter-24.md) - 2.10 Chapters 25-29: Soul Scrolls X - [2.10.1 Chapter 25](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-10-1-chapter-25.md) - [2.10.2 Chapter 26](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-10-2-chapter-26.md) - [2.10.3 Chapter 27](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-10-3-chapter-27.md) - [2.10.4 Chapter 28](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-10-4-chapter-28.md) - [2.10.5 Chapter 29](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-10-5-chapter-29.md) - 2.11 Chapter 30: Night XI - [2.11.1 Chapter 30](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-11-1-chapter-30.md) - 2.12 Chapters 31-39: Jezebel's XII - [2.12.1 Chapter 31](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-1-chapter-31.md) - [2.12.2 Chapter 32](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-2-chapter-32.md) - [2.12.3 Chapter 33](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-3-chapter-33.md) - [2.12.4 Chapter 34](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-4-chapter-34.md) - [2.12.5 Chapter 35](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-5-chapter-35.md) - [2.12.6 Chapter 36](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-6-chapter-36.md) - [2.12.7 Chapter 37](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-7-chapter-37.md) - [2.12.8 Chapter 38](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-8-chapter-38.md) - [2.12.9 Chapter 39](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-9-chapter-39.md) - 2.13 Chapter 40: Night XIII - [2.13.1 Chapter 40](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-13-1-chapter-40.md) - 2.14 Chapters 41-45: Salvaging XIV - [2.14.1 Chapter 41](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-14-1-chapter-41.md) - [2.14.2 Chapter 42](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-14-2-chapter-42.md) - [2.14.3 Chapter 43](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-14-3-chapter-43.md) - [2.14.4 Chapter 44](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-14-4-chapter-44.md) - [2.14.5 Chapter 45](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-14-5-chapter-45.md) - 2.15 Chapter 46: Night XV - [2.15.1 Chapter 46](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-15-1-chapter-46.md) - 2.16 Historical Notes - [2.16.1 Historical Notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-16-1-historical-notes.md) ### 3 Dedications & Epigraph - 3.1 Dedications & Epigraph - [3.1.1 Dedications](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/3-1-1-dedications.md) - [3.1.2 Epigraph](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/3-1-2-epigraph.md) ### 4 Context - 4.1 Setting - [4.1.1 Setting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-1-1-setting.md) - 4.2 Literary Context & Genre - [4.2.1 The Canterbury Tales & The Scarlet Letter](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-2-1-the-canterbury-tales-and-the-scarlet-letter.md) - [4.2.2 Links to Dystopian Fiction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-2-2-links-to-dystopian-fiction.md) - 4.3 Political Context - [4.3.1 Berlin & Iran](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-3-1-berlin-and-iran.md) - [4.3.2 The New Right in America](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-3-2-the-new-right-in-america.md) - 4.4 Historical Context - [4.4.1 Puritan New England](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-4-1-puritan-new-england.md) - 4.5 Parallels: Read World & Gilead - [4.5.1 The Underground Femaleroad](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-5-1-the-underground-femaleroad.md) - [4.5.2 Children of Ham & Soul Scrolls](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-5-2-children-of-ham-and-soul-scrolls.md) - [4.5.3 Offred's Tattoo, Salvaging & Illegal Abortions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-5-3-offreds-tattoo-salvaging-and-illegal-abortions.md) - [4.5.4 Unwomen, Colonies & Giving Away Offred's Daughter](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-5-4-unwomen-colonies-and-giving-away-offreds-daughter.md) - 4.6 Religious Context - [4.6.1 Religious Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-6-1-religious-context.md) ### 5 Narrative Structure & Literary Techniques - 5.1 Narrative Structure - [5.1.1 Narrative Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/5-1-1-narrative-structure.md) - 5.2 Literary Techniques - [5.2.1 Literary Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/5-2-1-literary-techniques.md) - [5.2.2 Colour Symbolism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/5-2-2-colour-symbolism.md) ### 6 Themes & Imagery - 6.1 Themes - [6.1.1 Survival & Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/6-1-1-survival-and-language.md) - [6.1.2 The Female Body](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/6-1-2-the-female-body.md) - 6.2 Imagery - [6.2.1 The Garden & Doubles](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/6-2-1-the-garden-and-doubles.md) ### 7 Characters - 7.1 Female Characters - [7.1.1 Offred & Moira](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/7-1-1-offred-and-moira.md) - [7.1.2 Offred's Mother, Ofglen & Ofwarren](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/7-1-2-offreds-mother-ofglen-and-ofwarren.md) - [7.1.3 Serena Joy & Aunt Lydia](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/7-1-3-serena-joy-and-aunt-lydia.md) - 7.2 Male Characters - [7.2.1 The Commander](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/7-2-1-the-commander.md) - [7.2.2 Nick & Luke](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/7-2-2-nick-and-luke.md) ### 8 Readings - 8.1 Readings of The Handmaid's Tale - [8.1.1 Eco-Criticism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/8-1-1-eco-criticism.md) - [8.1.2 Complacency](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/8-1-2-complacency.md) ### 9 Recap: Main Quotes - 9.1 Quotes by Chapter - [9.1.1 Chapters 1 & 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-1-chapters-1-and-2.md) - [9.1.2 Chapters 3 & 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-2-chapters-3-and-4.md) - [9.1.3 Chapters 5 & 6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-3-chapters-5-and-6.md) - [9.1.4 Chapters 7 & 8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-4-chapters-7-and-8.md) - [9.1.5 Chapters 9 & 10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-5-chapters-9-and-10.md) - [9.1.6 Chapters 11 & 12](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-6-chapters-11-and-12.md) - [9.1.7 Chapters 13 & 14](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-7-chapters-13-and-14.md) - [9.1.8 Chapter 15 & 16](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-8-chapter-15-and-16.md) - [9.1.9 Chapters 17 & 18](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-9-chapters-17-and-18.md) - [9.1.10 Chapters 19 & 20](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-10-chapters-19-and-20.md) - [9.1.11 Chapters 21 & 22](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-11-chapters-21-and-22.md) - [9.1.12 Chapters 23 & 24](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-12-chapters-23-and-24.md) - [9.1.13 Chapters 25 & 26](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-13-chapters-25-and-26.md) - [9.1.14 Chapters 27 & 28](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-14-chapters-27-and-28.md) - [9.1.15 Chapters 29 & 30](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-15-chapters-29-and-30.md) - [9.1.16 Chapters 31 & 32](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-16-chapters-31-and-32.md) - [9.1.17 Chapters 33 & 34](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-17-chapters-33-and-34.md) - [9.1.18 Chapters 35 & 36](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-18-chapters-35-and-36.md) - [9.1.19 Chapters 37 & 38](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-19-chapters-37-and-38.md) - [9.1.20 Chapters 39 & 40](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-20-chapters-39-and-40.md) - [9.1.21 Chapters 41 & 42](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-21-chapters-41-and-42.md) - [9.1.22 Chapters 43 & 44](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-22-chapters-43-and-44.md) - [9.1.23 Chapters 45 & 46](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-23-chapters-45-and-46.md) - [9.1.24 Historical Notes & Epigraphs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-24-historical-notes-and-epigraphs.md) - 9.2 Text Structure - Quotes - [9.2.1 Literary Techniques - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-2-1-literary-techniques-quotes.md) - [9.2.2 Survival & Language -Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-2-2-survival-and-language-quotes.md) - [9.2.3 The Female Body - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-2-3-the-female-body-quotes.md) - [9.2.4 The Garden & Doubles - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-2-4-the-garden-and-doubles-quotes.md) - [9.2.5 Eco-Criticism & Complacency - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-2-5-eco-criticism-and-complacency-quotes.md)